ADVANCE CARE PLANNING IN ONCOLOGY AND BEYOND - A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF CLINICAL EXPANSION, LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND AI-DRIVEN INNOVATIONS

Abstract

Background: Advance care planning (ACP) is a complex communication process requiring collaboration among the physician, patient, and family. Given the rising incidence of cancer and aging populations, ensuring care consistent with patient values is becoming a priority, not only in oncology but also in patient-centered care for chronic illnesses. Aim: This review presents the current methods and challenges in ACP, discusses the implementation of ACP in patients with chronic illnesses and analyzes the global legal status, future directions, and technological advances. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using international databases (PubMed, Google Scholar), focusing on the latest publications from the years 2021–2026. The analysis encompassed clinical, legal, and ethical aspects of ACP. Results: The literature analysis demonstrated that ACP can be a universal tool utilized across various fields of medicine. Although ACP significantly increases the concordance of care with patient preferences, its effectiveness is limited by a lack of legal regulations, cultural factors, and communication barriers on the part of both healthcare professionals and patients. Digital innovations powered by artificial intelligence (AI) represent a breakthrough in identifying high-risk patients and implementing ACP. However, the use of AI raises numerous ethical dilemmas. Conclusions: ACP should be incorporated into the standard of care in both oncology and chronic illnesses. Modern technologies can help overcome some of the barriers, but legal and systemic solutions, the standardization of medical documentation, and communication skills training for healthcare personnel are necessary to fully harness the potential of ACP.

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